You see it all the time in retail discount stores: Color coordinated decor for just about anywhere in your home. And some of the designs are quite pretty. In fact, some people become obsessed by them. They're usually really cute, come in a variety of colors, shades, patterns and designs, and they just plain make decorating easy. There's no guesswork - everything is matched for you automatically. But there's also no unique style. No sense of "you" in the finished style. If you mix and match styles up a bit though, you'll end up creating something that's just right for you, your home, and your style preferences. Here are a few tips on doing that.
1. It's ok to start with a "cookie cutter" design style, pattern, or color theme you've found in a general store. These are actually great starting places for getting new decor ideas.
2. Try choosing just one or two matching items from the store. For instance, let's say you plan to decorate your bathroom in a sea green color scheme. You'll find plenty of really nice shower curtains to fit this color scheme well, so choose one you like. If you just can't resist... go ahead and get the matching accessories too, such as the toothbrush holder and soap dish.
3. Now most likely the ready made design of your shower curtain has traces of other colors mixed in. It's common for instance, to see blues, tans, yellows and oranges in a sea green coordinated bathroom set, because these colors tend to be seen when you're actually at the sea or ocean. So they compliment each other.
And this is a key decorating point: Your room colors don't have to match exactly. They should simply compliment each other. So in our sea green bathroom decor example above, it would be perfectly natural to add a set of solid tan colored towels, burnt orange wash cloths, and a throw rug with touches of blue in it. If the blue doesn't seem to fit quite right for your tastes, then try a deep forest green colored rug instead.
4. Try different color shade combinations. If you're using primarily green in the bathroom design, try both a light and dark shade as previously mentioned. Test the colors out though, because sometimes one shade doesn't sit well next to another. Sometimes you can tell this instinctively by holding two items of different shades together in the store, but other times you'll need to actually buy the items and test them in the actual room itself. Anything that doesn't quite look or feel right in the overall room design can simply be returned to the store.
5. Work with what you have. In our bathroom decor example, the shades of green might not work well if you have pink walls and aren't able to change them when you're redecorating. If you have deep, dark wood cabinets and other accessories, the darker green shades might make the room seem a bit too heavy and dark once you have all of the new decorations in place.
6. Don't be afraid to try mixing decor styles. It's ok to have a Southwestern style towel set in the same bathroom as a seaside designed shower curtain for instance, because both styles tend to use earth toned colors.
7. Last but not least: If you can't find decor styles you like at regular stores, try shopping around at yard sales and flea markets. Even if you find just one interesting or unique piece that really catches your attention - that's a place to start. You can create an entire room's unique design and decor style by simply working from the color and style of that one piece!
Remember that decorating your home is all about you. Your likes, dislikes, and lifestyle are what's most important. So be sure to inject a little bit of your own personality into the decor of your home, and your friends and family will be envious of your unique, stylish look!
© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - a large and growing home decorating and decor website featuring articles, tips, advice, and popular home decor shopping.
Country decorating ideas can help you create a home that... Read More
Spring is here and for many of us it's the... Read More
Interior decorating is that medium which can make your closed... Read More
Do you want to add a sense of style and... Read More
Framed art is an ideal compliment to any room of... Read More
It is a good idea to purchase a full set... Read More
From the office cubicle to the executive penthouse suite and... Read More
Wood-pellet stoves were invented in the 1980's and have gained... Read More
Begin your written plan by choosing one room to start... Read More
Shutters are a wonderful addition to any home. They give... Read More
Is your kitchen or dining area missing that little bit... Read More
It would be obvious to assume that the sudden boom... Read More
Heart and Soul Designs - Changing your Home into a... Read More
When decorating your bathroom, it is important to choose practical... Read More
You may need to replace dishwasher parts from time to... Read More
Many people love the look and feel of down comforters,... Read More
It all came about due to a cry from English... Read More
We all take a certain pride in the interior of... Read More
Earthy colors and natural materials are two basics for the... Read More
The original, the granddaddy of all of today's items bought... Read More
Versatile, strong & attractive, it's not surprising that copper has... Read More
Buying sheets is not as easy as it used to... Read More
Fitting new couch slipcovers is a great way to instantly... Read More
Chess is a popular board game across the world. While... Read More
There are ceiling fans designed especially for children, which have... Read More
I am not a quilter in the typical sense, but... Read More
Pressed glass, Depression glass and crystal - this month we'll... Read More
During your spring cleaning, don't forget to think about your... Read More
Many people agree that flowers are one of the most... Read More
With unlimited possibilities available, table top fountains can add understated... Read More
Pre-finished floors come with an extended factory finish warranty unlike... Read More
Are you tired of the way your bathroom looks? Don't... Read More
Having a nice house is everyone dreams. In fact, everybody... Read More
Buying bedroom furniture can be an exciting time; unfortunately if... Read More
Color is influential in every aspect of our lives. It... Read More
Mounting health costs and cuts to government funding are making... Read More
Tired of waking every morning with a stripe of blinding... Read More
Room dividers can be both decorative and practical. They can... Read More
There are ceiling fans designed especially for children, which have... Read More
Do you love to entertain in your home? Do you... Read More
All of us want our homes to be places of... Read More
If you have book shelves in your home, and lots... Read More
Most people like you love to keep everything in its... Read More
After searching decorating books, using trial and error decorating, and... Read More
Modern bathroom vanities and medicine cabinets come in a huge... Read More
Lighting is often thought of as a necessity, which it... Read More
Summer decorating is a wonderful time to lighten up the... Read More
If you feel bedroom-designing challenged like I am, then bed... Read More
Adjustable beds, also known as Semi-Fowler beds, can be adjusted... Read More
These vibrant collectibles are as charming today as they were... Read More
A little known fact: bamboo is technically not a tree... Read More
"Bollywood" is the next really big thing in interior decor.... Read More
With the weather cooling, it's time to put on the... Read More
Purchasing a bar stool is a very meticulous process that... Read More
Tired of plain, boring walls? Faux finishes are a great... Read More
Pendant lighting has gained a great deal of popularity for... Read More
Feng shui indicates some specific guidelines regarding children's spaces and... Read More
It is a cliché that wines get better with age.... Read More
One of the easiest ways to accent and decorate your... Read More
Psychology of colors ? the bedroomColor can have an astounding... Read More
There is this undocumented story about Andrew Carnegie who kept... Read More
Because psychologists relate true happiness to joyous occurrences happening frequently,... Read More
The roles of curtains have changed. At one time they... Read More
One of the most beautiful, versatile and efficient accessories that... Read More
Need An Easy Bathroom Curtain Idea?I've always had a hard... Read More
A ceiling fan used outdoors, such as on a covered... Read More
Interior Design & Decorating |